Boston pro sports news and analysis from
Brian MacPherson of the New Hampshire Union Leader.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Belichick playing to win the game

The Jets' wide margin of victory likely allowed them to rest a few players that will play big roles in Thursday night's game against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots, who had the game almost in hand but not quite put away until after the two-minute warning, had no such luxury.

But when one reporter asked Bill Belichick if it worried him that he didn't get to rest any of his players in the fourth quarter with a short week ahead, he immediately bristled -- and delivered a moment that was almost Coors Light-commercial worthy.

"We're trying to win the game," he said after taking a moment to stare in disbelief at his questioner. "We're trying to beat the Buffalo Bills. They're a good football team. They're 5-3. We're trying to win the game. We're not trying to rest anybody. They're the Buffalo Bills. They're 5-3. We're playing for first place. You don't rest anybody when you're playing for first place."